1,000 Watts Make Microwaving Faster

IN THE KITCHEN

January 26, 1992|by IRENE KRAFT, The Morning Call

With the introduction of microwave ovens, busy cooks have been able to cut preparation time for most dishes to mere minutes. Now, a new microwave oven manufactured by Tappan makes cooking even quicker.

The 1000-watt Tappan Speedwave can cook food 25 percent faster than standard 700-watt microwaves. Users now can boil a cup of water in 90 seconds as compared to the two minutes required by standard models, and cook a five-minute frozen dinner in less than four minutes.

With soft-edged, black-on-black European styling, the 1.3-cubic-foot microwave oven has "tap 'n' touch" solid-state controls with four-stage programming that allows users to automatically defrost, cook at two different time and power settings and incorporate stand-time -- all in one programming sequence.

For easy operation, "popcorn/memory" selection allows users to quickly access six frequently used cook times. Three of those times can be customized to store cook times and power levels for favorite items like popcorn, baked potatoes and beverages.

Another feature automatically thaws meat, poultry and fish by weight, eliminating the time and guesswork of manual defrosting.

To eliminate hot and cold spots common in microwave cooking, an air-driven stirrer fan uniformly distributes the 1,000 watts of cooking power. A turntable, that rotates food for more even cooking, can be turned off to accommodate oversized rectangular dishes. The unit also comes with a rack for two levels of cooking space.

At this point, Sears is the only store carrying the new, 1,000-watt Tappan Speedwave.

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With use of microwave ovens at an all-time high -- nearly 85 percent of U.S. households have one -- there's little doubt the majority of people who own them won't be willing to go without them when their old units wear out. In fact, studies show repeat buyers want even more technology at the best price.

To help second-time buyers make educated decisions about their purchases, Sharp Electronics Corp. is offering a free brochure. Although most information is specific to Sharp models, some may be helpful in the selection of other brands as well. The booklet can be obtained by sending your request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Susan Edwards, Sharp Electronics Corp., Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07430-2135.

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With health experts advising consumers to choose monounsaturated fats in the place of saturated fats in their cooking, more people are turning to olive oil, which is higher in monounsaturated fatty acids than any other cooking oil.

To help consumers better utilize olive oil in their cooking, Filippo Berio is offering a 14-page booklet filled with recipes, cooking tips and serving suggestions. The booklet, "101 Ways to Use Filippo Berio Olive Oil," is available by sending a check or money order for $1 (to cover postage and handling) with name and address to: Filippo Berio "101 Ways" Offer, P.O. Box 5021, Clinton, N.J. 07015-5012.

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If "cocooning" through the cold winter months allows you a little extra time to spend in your kitchen, you might want to try whipping up some new creations for one of the following recipe contests:

*Your favorite beef recipe might be worth more than $15,000 in the 1992 National Beef Cook-Off, Sept. 17-19 in Sacramento, Calif. To be eligible for the big money, Pennsylvania residents first must win the state competition, in which top winner gets more than $500 in cash and awards.

Amateur chefs may compete in three categories -- Indoor, Outdoor Barbecue and Microwave. Top prize for each category winner in the national competition is $5,000. Those winners then go on to compete in the "Best of Beef" segment of the contest for a chance to win an additional $10,000.

*Bays English Muffins is inviting consumers to submit recipes using English muffins for entrees or main course dishes.

Six finalists and 30 runners-up will be selected in the contest, for which entries will be accepted until March 31. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Thailand, including a week of classes at the famous Oriental Hotel's cooking school in Bangkok. Second prize is a 12-piece set of enamel-on-steel Chantal cookware; third, a seven-piece block set of Hoffritz knives; fourth, $150 gift certificate and fifth and sixth, a Black & Decker toaster oven and one case of Bays English Muffins. Runners-up will receive a gift package of Bays English muffins and a Bays gourmet apron.

To enter, send original recipes on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with name, address and daytime phone number, plus one top label from a package of the muffins, to Bays English Muffins, P.O. Box 450, Chicago, Ill. 60690-0450.